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BYU Star Dybantsa Faces Doubts from NBA Scouts
Concerns raised about his struggles against top competition ahead of NBA Draft
Jan. 29, 2026 at 6:31pm
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BYU basketball forward AJ Dybantsa has been a dominant college player, but NBA scouts have raised some alarm bells about his performance against better teams. While Dybantsa is still projected to be a top draft pick, his true shooting percentage and assist rate have dropped significantly when facing Tier A and B competition, leading to questions about his ability to adjust to the NBA level.
Why it matters
Dybantsa's struggles against top teams have raised concerns about whether his college success will translate to the NBA. As one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft, how he performs against elite competition will be heavily scrutinized by NBA teams evaluating his potential at the next level.
The details
Dybantsa has been extremely productive this season, with an overall true shooting percentage of 61.5% and an assist rate of 21.9%. However, against what KenPom defines as Tier A and B competition, his true shooting percentage drops to 53.3% and his assist rate falls to 17.4%. His struggles were particularly evident in games against Texas Tech and Arizona, where he was forced to settle for more midrange jumpers instead of getting to the rim as easily. Scouts are concerned that bigger, longer, and stronger NBA defenders will be able to contest his shots and disrupt his ability to create off the dribble.
- Dybantsa had a monster performance against Clemson on January 15, 2026, with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.
- The Athletic's Sam Vecenie released a report on Dybantsa's struggles against top competition on January 29, 2026.
The players
AJ Dybantsa
A star forward for the BYU basketball team who is projected to be a top draft pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Sam Vecenie
A writer for The Athletic who reported on the concerns NBA scouts have about Dybantsa's performance against top competition.
What they’re saying
“Overall, he has a true-shooting percentage of 61.5, well above the national average. However, against what KenPom defines as Tier A and B competition, Dybantsa's true-shooting percentage plummets to a below-average 53.3 percent. His assist rate drops from 21.9 percent overall to 17.4 percent against Tier A and B teams.”
— Sam Vecenie, Writer
What’s next
Dybantsa will have the opportunity to address these concerns during the upcoming NBA Draft process, including workouts and interviews with teams. His performance in these settings will be closely watched as NBA teams evaluate whether his college success can translate to the professional level.
The takeaway
While Dybantsa is still considered a top prospect, his struggles against elite competition have raised some doubts about his readiness for the NBA. How he responds to these concerns and demonstrates his ability to adapt to higher-level competition will be crucial in determining his draft position and long-term potential.
